Red Wings' Mike Babcock on defenseman Brendan Smith: He has the ability to be a gamebreaker

TRAVERSE CITY -- Highly skilled defenseman Brendan Smith was impressive during his first NHL training camp, showing the Detroit Red Wings his speed and puck-moving ability during high-tempo scrimmages.

"He has the ability to be a gamebreaker,'' Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "Gamebreakers have a tendency to want to break the game (open) all the time.

"As you become a pro you realize you (need to be) patient. Lots of shifts nothing happens and you wait for your opportunity and then you take advantage of it and then you don't get yourself in trouble because you're not forcing things. He's a kid and he'll get it figured out.''

Smith, who excels at rushing the puck, scored on a blast from the point Tuesday at the Red Team defeated the White Team 5-3 at Centre I.C.E. Arena to wrap up training camp.

Smith, Detroit's first-round pick in 2007, will start his pro career this season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, unless the Red Wings have a couple of injuries during the preseason.

"I'm pretty happy with how I did,'' Smith said.

He said he was impressed by "the speed and the skill of the guys around here and how everybody holds themselves. They're all professionals and there's things I got to learn to be a professional within some time. So I'm just watchijng them taking some tips.''

The former Wisconsin star noted the huge difference between college and the pros.

"Skill-wise, these guys atre unbelievable,'' Smith said. "You make a bad pass and they're picking it up in stride no matter where you throw it.''